TOURISM & TRAVEL IN UK

Britain is one of the world’s foremost travel destinations, and is an essential part of Britain’s income. Tourism is promoted by the British Tourist Authority, which is supported by the government, and maintains hundred of tourist information centers to assist visitors.

The largest number of tourists in 2004 came from United States, France, Germany, Ireland, and Netherlands. Tourists are attracted by Britain’s heritage and arts, historic buildings, monuments, museum and galleries. The most popular tourist destination is London, and is crowded throughout the year. Millions regularly visit the Tower of London, The Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey. At night visitors enjoy hundreds of theatres and pubs in London.

Northwest Wales has many excellent castles. In Scotland, historic Edinburgh Castle looms over the capital. In many English cities, Great cathedrals from the middle ages still dominate, including Salisbury, Durham, and Canterbury. In Wales the small but beautiful Saint David’s Cathedral is outstanding.

Throughout Britain there are a number of Stately Homes, among which the more famous is Blenheim Palace, the home of the Churchill family. Just outside London, Hampton Court Palace was one of the homes of Henry VII. Also the palace of the Holy rood house in Scotland was once the home of Mary, Queen of Scots. The other worthwhile places to visit are Oxford and Cambridge, both university towns with many ancient buildings, and the Tudor Home in which William Shakespeare was born in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon.

As you’d expect such a small and densely populated island, just about every place in Britain is accessible by train or bus. London’s commuters spend more on getting to work than any of their European counterparts. It’s often cheaper to drive yourself around, though fuel and car rental costs are among the highest in Europe.

Since distances are so small, internal flights are not the most obvious choice. However, with several regional airports- including Birmingham, Bristol, and Manchester etc well served by low cost airlines, flights can be cost effective as well as time saving. Britain’s rail network has suffered privatization process, resulting in severe decline in services. Spiraling prices and unreliable services has caused many passengers to run for their car. Traveling across country or reaching remote corners can be trickier. Inter town bus services or coaches in Britain, duplicate many rail routes at half the price of the train, and are generally comfortable. If you want to from one end of a big city tom another, local bus services will offer you low cut fares. If traveling by car, then car parking in cities and popular tourist’s spots can be a nightmare. Fuel is expensive compared to North American prices.